You Haven’t Tried True Wisconsin Comfort Food Until You’ve Been Here

The sweet, velvety vanilla enmeshed with warm hot fudge, housing a vibrant red cherry—a classic sundae has always been my go-to. When it comes to comfort food in Wisconsin, specifically custard, only one place comes to mind: LeDuc's. LeDuc's Frozen Custard is nestled in the town of Wales, Wisconsin, and serves (hands down) the custard you have to have, whether you are a die-hard fan or a newbie.

Why This Spot Serves the Best Comfort Food in Wisconsin

I'm always surprised when someone tells me they have never had frozen custard. Flabbergasted, I rave about LeDuc's, the place that satiated my sweet tooth practically since birth. After softball games, long days at my high school across the street, a bad day, a good day, or any day, this place has always been my custard haven. No shade to Culver's, Kopp's Frozen Custard, Leon's Frozen Custard, or any other iconic custard spots, but something about the flavor of LeDuc's original custard recipe has never been matched for this born-and-raised Wisconsinite.

According to Travel Wisconsin, the Midwest's adoration of custard can be traced back to the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. It should come as no surprise that Wisconsin's breweries discovered frozen custard as a way to keep themselves afloat (pun intended) during Prohibition, and the state hasn't let go of that sweet treat ever since.

Custard aside, you can get a smorgasbord of comfort foods here, too. I'm talking beer-battered onion rings, burgers, bratwurst, and even fried Wisconsin white cheddar cheese curds. They've got Dairy State pub faves locked down.

What Makes This Wisconsin Restaurant So Special

Since it first opened in 1980, LeDuc's has been using the same recipe for its custard, which is made every day. If you go to this spot any day of the week, you'll get three main choices: vanilla, chocolate, and the flavor of the day. And you can bet that the same custard I fell in love with as a kid is what you're tasting. Even after being one of the area's favorite comfort food hot spots, this place hasn't changed much over the years, which is what makes it special.

No amount of popularity has taken away its family feeling. You can settle in and still feel right at home, even if you've never stopped by before. It is that kind of place, doing what it has always done best: custard. Even with a Culver's just a few blocks away down the highway now, nothing is dimming LeDuc's sparkle. When I think of hidden gem restaurants in Wisconsin, LeDuc's always comes to mind. It is the epitome of a hidden gem, a place that locals know is the best, and we have no problem telling everyone else that too. I'd include it as a seminal entry in any guide to foodie destinations in Wisconsin.

What To Know Before You Go

First and foremost, you need to know that this place is deeply loved. Wales, Wisconsin, may be a small village with fewer than 3,000 residents, but don't let that fool you. Especially on a hot summer day, there is a good chance everyone else will have the same idea you did and drop by LeDuc's. Even if the line snakes around the patio seating area, it will move quickly—and it absolutely will be worth it.

If you decide not to visit the area in the summer, that doesn't mean you're losing out on custard goodness. LeDuc's is open all year round. Sure, Wisconsin in January is sometimes bitterly cold, but if you've got LeDuc's nearby, it can't be all that bad.

Also know that LeDuc's has a sundae of the month on top of their flavor of the day. The month of May, for example, was Dirt Cake—my ultimate custard sundae of choice.